Metro

EFCC Arraigns Ex-NRC MD Over Alleged $385,000, N165m Fraud

Published

3 months ago

February 25, 2026

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arraigned a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Edetanle Okhiria, before the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja over an alleged fraud involving $385,000 and N165,438,000.

Okhiria was arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and unlawful enrichment by a public officer.

The EFCC alleged that the defendant committed the offences between 2016 and 2025 while serving as the Managing Director of the NRC.

According to the commission, Okhiria allegedly abused his office by violating provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, in the award of contracts, purportedly to obtain undue advantage for himself.

The prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammad (SAN), told the court that between May 29 and September 11, 2024, the defendant allegedly transferred a cumulative sum of $205,000 from his domiciliary account in Access Bank Plc to an account belonging to Ehimen Okhiria, domiciled in ABN AMRO Bank, Netherlands.

Muhammad further alleged that between October 21 and November 21, 2024, the defendant transferred another $40,000 from his Access Bank account to the same foreign account.

The court also heard that between January 2 and February 20, 2025, after leaving office, Okhiria allegedly transferred an additional $60,000 from his Access Bank account to the said ABN AMRO Bank account, which the EFCC claimed were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The defendant was further accused of unlawfully enriching himself with $40,000 allegedly received from Emma Ogbogu & Associates’ FCMB account through his personal Access Bank account on April 7, 2025, in relation to the lease of NRC properties located at Plots 2 and 5, Federal Road, Ebute Meta, Lagos.

The commission also alleged that between April 8 and May 14, 2025, Okhiria received N125,438,000 from accounts belonging to James Iria and Kelvin Iria domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc, through his personal Access Bank account, in connection with contracts awarded to Big Screen Network Limited during his tenure.

In addition, the EFCC alleged that on or about June 11, 2025, after leaving office, the defendant received $80,000 from a domiciliary account belonging to Vincent Obi in Access Bank, in relation to the lease of an NRC property at No. 42, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos, to Remax Realtors Limited.

The prosecution said the alleged offences contravene Sections 332(1) and (3), 73(1) and 82(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following his plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand him in a correctional facility pending trial.

However, defence counsel, Adebowale Kamoru, informed the court that he had just been served with the charges and sought a short adjournment to enable him to file a bail application.

Justice Oshodi ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

The matter was adjourned to May 13, 14 and 15, 2026, for trial.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.